The poor do not have a voice. OHF intends to be a charity that listens and understands the needs of the poor. Very often, we look at what we can do or what we want to do rather than what is needed. For example, I constantly remind our field managers that to run an orphanage they must always have the end in mind. The purpose of an orphanage is not merely to provide education, board and medical care but to train and equip the children so that they are fully prepared when they leave our orphanage! The children must either leave with employable skills or taught business skills so that they can start a small business since jobs are hard to find. This is a serious undertaking and goes beyond providing the children with fun, games and outings.

At the same time, we want to provide a HOME where the children are loved and well-looked after. They must have strong moral and spiritual foundation which when combines with love and skills would enable them to live upright lives that benefit themselves, their community and their country. Building and running orphanages is just one of four areas that OHF is doing.

Our MIND SHARE Program works with students from tertiary institutions to develop appropriate technical solutions that benefit the poor. We are exploring the use of bio-mass enzymes to make compost faster and convert poor soil into good ones. From electronics, biology to chemistry, we are constantly on the look-out for technologies that empowers the poor. Our early project is the low-cost solar oven that uses heat from the sun to cook food. This reduces the need for firewood which helps save trees. Technology in developed countries is growing by leaps and bounds but unfortunately, most of the technology is not applied to the billions earning less than US$2 a day.

The third program, MIND CHANGE sends volunteers to do meaningful projects overseas. From building a low-cost house to constructing a well or making soap, volunteers are able to make a difference to the lives of the poor. Schools polytechnics and churches have sent teams to participate in our community outreach programs. The volunteers can see first-hand the grinding poverty that is present in many developing countries. We hope these community service programs will change mindsets so that volunteers can start thinking about those who are less fortunate. We have many volunteers who have experienced the joy of service, the exhilaration of giving without expecting anything in return.

The fourth program MIND USE is to create livelihood opportunities for the poor. There is so much that we can do. It is a matter of will rather than what or how. We have started the polymer clay craft project that creates beautiful jewelry (See www.mliss.org). Other projects that we are working on are the manufacturing of low-cost soap, a bakery, rearing of tilapia fish and embroidery with a computerized embroidery machine.

OHF is a charity that starts from the heart and requires the use of head and hands to come up with meaningful, sustainable, practical projects for the poor. The poor must benefit from what we do for it is their well-being and future that we are most concerned about. Welcome to their world.

Robert Kee